The Co-Parenting Handbook by Bonnell, Karen -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Preface: Why This Book? A Note about Family Introduction Chapter 1: The Journey through Separation

Chapter 2: The Journey from Parenting Together to Co-Parenting Apart

Parents’ Feelings: Pacing the Process How Separation Impacts Parenting Style Gatekeeping Stepping Up and Stepping In The Value of Two Good-Enough Parents Co-Parenting as Allies, Not Enemies Co-Parenting Goals Your Co-Parenting Goals

Chapter 3: The Journey through Separation for Kids

Child Development and Adjusting to Separation What Your Child Needs Most (At Any Age) Don’t Kids Deserve the Truth? Actually, No Explaining Separation in Kid Language Kids Caught in the Middle of Parental Conflict Fanning the Fire of Parental Conflict Kids as Spy or Private Eye: An Unhealthy Alliance Tips to Protect Kids from Parental Conflict Helping Children Work through Emotions When We Feel Too Much for Our Kids: Compassion Traps Answering Kids’ Difficult Questions

Chapter 4: Settling into a Two-Home Family

Building a Secure Home Base in a Two-Home Family Two 100 Percent Parents on a Parenting Schedule A Clear Residential Schedule Guidelines for Managing Your Residential Schedule The Complexity of Co-Parenting Long Distance Child-Centered Transitions Good Co-Parenting Hygiene: Rules for the Co-Parenting Road Sovereign Time: Independent Parenting Helping Grandparents and Extended Family Join the Team What about Miss Kitty and Fido?

Chapter 5: Communication Protocols that Work.

The Five Cs that Guide Respectful Communication Communication Protocols Modes of Communication Kids and Communication

Chapter 6: Decision Making

CEOs: Co-Parent Executive Officers Joint Decisions Made Jointly “Your Dad and I,” “Your Mom and I” Day-to-Day Decision Making Responsible Informing Emergency Decisions Kids and Co-Parenting Decisions Child Care: Babysitters and Leaving Older Children Home Alone

Chapter 7: Managing Finances

CFOs: Co-Parent Financial Officers Educate Yourself: Co-Design a Plan and Implement with Integrity Anticipating Expenses Kids and Money Matters Clothing and Budgets Holidays, Birthdays, and Gifts

Chapter 8: Co-Parenting at Holidays and Life-Cycle Events

New Family Rituals Evolve over Time What about Birthdays? More Special Occasions

Chapter 9: Co-Parenting in Public Spaces

Emotional Readiness Sports and Extracurricular Activities School and School Events Faith-Community and Religious Practices Primary Health-Care and Dental Appointments Peer Birthday Parties Playmates and Their Families Other Family Events in Public Spaces

Chapter 10: New Adults in Your Children’s Lives

Adult Relationships 101 Introducing New Romantic Partners Growth and Development Timing, Pacing, and Adjustment Adult Sleepovers Romantic Partner or Stepparent? New Partners at Kid-Centered Public Events

Chapter 11: The Co-Parenting Relationship: Skill, Acceptance, and Maturity

Co-Parenting Relationships Develop over Time Impact of Changes in Circumstance Co-Parent Skills Co-Parent Styles What If I Worry that My Children Are Unsafe? The Key to a Difficult Co-Parent: Acceptance

Chapter 12: Raising Well-Adjusted and Resilient Kids in a Two-Home Family

Rebuild a Sense of Family Fun Believe Your Kids Will Do Great Things Love: The Balance of Nurturing and Discipline Involve Kids While Protecting Childhood Protect Your Children from Adult Problems The Seven Cs: Helping Kids Build Resilience Give Kids the Gift of a Happy Parent

Acknowledgments Appendix

Index About the Authors